Cape Town Free Walking Tours
Cape Town Free Walking Tours
Cape Town Free Walking Tours
5
Cultural ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursWalking ToursSightseeing Tours
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Tours walking EVERY DAY incl. holidays - 365 days a year. 7 tours a day. *9:30 Best of Bo-Kaap tour * 11:00 Historic City tour and Apartheid to freedom tour * 14:00 Apartheid to freedom tour and Bo-Kaap tour * 16:20 Bo-Kaap tour and Historic City tour. No booking required except for groups of 10 or more. Departing from Motherland Coffee, St Georges Mall
Cape Town Central, South Africa
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Cape Town Free Walking Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
2 545 reviews
Excellent
2 263
Very good
245
Average
28
Poor
7
Terrible
7
JMOLondon
Epsom, UK75 contributions
Feb 2020
I did the Apartheid to Freedom tour with Manni. He gave us an overview at the outset and explained that he hoped he might even generate a few goosebumps at the end of the tour. He certainly did, and some tears. The concept is so simple, you turn up outside the Motherland coffee shop ahead of the start time (my tour started at 11am) and join the group you choose (there are 3? different tours). Manni gave us the plan and then we started to walk. The walk was very gentle and suitable for pretty much all I would say. Manni was really knowledgeable and gave a really honest and powerful summary of the big moments from the start of apartheid to the end. The tour was not far off 2 hours in the end (should have been 1.5 hours) and ended at the spot where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after apartheid ended (this is where the tears and the goosebumps came).
At the end of the tour, tips were given as you saw fit. I had googled earlier and it was indicated that R100-R150 per person was about right and I did glance at what others were giving and it was about that. So R150 for a really powerful 2 hour tour is an absolute bargain. Highly, highly recommended.
PS I was alone but and felt totally comfortable
At the end of the tour, tips were given as you saw fit. I had googled earlier and it was indicated that R100-R150 per person was about right and I did glance at what others were giving and it was about that. So R150 for a really powerful 2 hour tour is an absolute bargain. Highly, highly recommended.
PS I was alone but and felt totally comfortable
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheena D
16 contributions
Jan 2020
My family and I were recently in Cape Town and went on the three different walking tours on offer (Bo Kaap, Apartheid, and Historical Tour). This was a great service, we got a really good overview of the city and its history, some sights and local tips. Ken led our historical and Bo Kaap tours, and Gervais led the Apartheid to Freedom walking tour. I would highly recommend this company and their walking tours – affordable, friendly and informative; with some lame dad jokes thrown in there for good measure.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ConnecticutDad2010
Connecticut, USA69 contributions
Dec 2019
Bjorn is an enthusiastic guide who spend part of Christmas Day showing us the Bo-Kaap section of Cape Town. He made sure we understood the points he was making as he gave a history of the community and found the best spots for the obligatory tourist photos. His dialogue was spot on for a wide range of ages participating in the tour. And he was very clear in explaining how "free tours" actually operate, that guides depend on the generosity of tour participants.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OutOfTheHouse7
1 contribution
Mar 2020
I highly recommend the Free Walking Tours.
Jennifer guided the historic tour and was very knowledgeable and provided modern context and uses for historical buildings, it felt like a well rounded tour and she was super chill. Bjorn gave an animated Bo-Kaap tour complete with recommendations of local foods and places to visit and a sense what life is really like for the people living in such a unique, historical, and iconic neighborhood.
The tours were an excellent choice for my first day in Cape Town. The tours are spaced really well so it's easy to go on more than one and they gave me a feel for the city and what other activities I wanted to do during my short visit. As a solo traveler the tours were a great way to meet some people that I was able to join up with the next day for other adventures.
Jennifer guided the historic tour and was very knowledgeable and provided modern context and uses for historical buildings, it felt like a well rounded tour and she was super chill. Bjorn gave an animated Bo-Kaap tour complete with recommendations of local foods and places to visit and a sense what life is really like for the people living in such a unique, historical, and iconic neighborhood.
The tours were an excellent choice for my first day in Cape Town. The tours are spaced really well so it's easy to go on more than one and they gave me a feel for the city and what other activities I wanted to do during my short visit. As a solo traveler the tours were a great way to meet some people that I was able to join up with the next day for other adventures.
Written 28 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks kindly for this feedback. And apologies for the late response. We are really happy that you got a lot from your tour and more. Much appreciated.
Written 7 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Olivia
1 contribution
Jan 2020
Bjorn was our guide for the "Apartheid to Freedom" tour and it was truly such a pleasure learning from him. He engaged all of the visitors and encouraged us all to give insight, ask questions, and enjoy the history during this perfectly-timed tour. This is a tour for people from far and near; I recommend doing this tour early on (if vacationing), as it helps provide context for the rest of the trip! Many thanks Bjorn and the rest of the folks who make the Cape Town Walking Tours so great.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Latasha B
1 contribution
Dec 2019
About 30 min prior to the walking tour, I decided to research something me and my mom could to for the day. Our airbnb was situated about 3 min from the meeting point. My overall suggestion, its free and the tour guys rely on tips, however you can tell that they have a passion for showing the history or their city. You'll learn things more from a local's perspective. Our tour guide Ken provided a very thorough tour. A tip well deserved. Please keep doing this! I learned so much history. I literally teared up while listening to some of the stories of told by Ken.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parttimetraveler01
Edmonton, Canada19 contributions
Mar 2020
THANK YOU Free Walking Tours for taking me on two of the most informative, educational, and entertaining walks of my entire trip. I did the historical city tour and the Apartheid tour. I was unfortunate enough to be in Cape Town when all of the museums had to close due to COVID-19, but Bjorn (along with hand sanitizer and doing his talks from a good 2m away) gave me one of the best historical run downs of colonization and Apartheid. I left the tours more aware and understanding of the country's past, something I sorely missed from some other tours and with the museums closed. Bjorn also took the time to recommend local places along the tour, and suggested other tours/places of interest for me to visit.
Written 26 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We apologise for this late response. Looks like the lockdown has also locked down our response timing. But we are over the moon with your feedback. Thanks so much.
Written 7 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Talaska D
13 contributions
Jan 2020
I took the Historic tour with Bjorn, and went back the next day for the Bo Kaap tour with Ken. Bjorn was a wonderful guide- extremely enthusiastic, passionate about all aspects of South African history, and was great at improvising when we were hit by heavy winds.
Ken's Bo Kaap tour was also fantastic- he managed to provide us with a thoughtful and nuanced perspective on the area and its residents, plenty of history, with some great recommendations thrown in as well.
Ken's Bo Kaap tour was also fantastic- he managed to provide us with a thoughtful and nuanced perspective on the area and its residents, plenty of history, with some great recommendations thrown in as well.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle V
Brussels, Belgium3 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
I did the Apartheid to Freedom tour with Milo today and I couldn’t have made a better choice. Milo gave a detailed, honest and heartfelt account of the country’s history and showed us the most important marks of Apartheid in town. The tour was interesting, realistic and insightful, Milo was vibrant, knowledgeable, respectful and just so passionate about what he wanted to share with us. Extra questions were answered, things were put into perspective and South Africa’s story was told. Thank you!
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jmc1217@yahoo.com
Winnabow, NC19 contributions
Sept 2022
We took the Apartheid to Freedom Tour and the Bo Kaap tour with Ken on different days. Both were exceptional. Ken said he's been a guide for ten years and his experience shows. His presentation is polished and professional. He enlivens the material with his droll sense of humour and with stories about people he knows personally who have lived Cape Town's history. We highly recommend the Cape Town Free Walking Tours for any visitor who wants to know about Cape Town's past and present.
Written 1 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for this stellar review of Ken and our tours. Ken is a great guide AND an amazing person.
Written 3 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Can you leave a tip via credit card or do I need to carry rands? Should I get rands before I depart the U.S.?
Written 9 July 2024
Hi Rosa, yes you can, we accept both cash and credit card
Written 18 July 2024
Hi is it safe to walk from the v&a waterfront to the meeting point at church square please?
Written 11 August 2022
I would park near the Victoria Wharf in their open air parking and then take an Uber over to where the walking tour is. Getting around with Uber in Cape Town is MUCH easier than trying to find parking for your car. And using Uber in Cape Town is very inexpensive. Have fun. There are LOTS of places to eat and shop around where the tour is as well. Enjoy.
Written 23 October 2019
How long is the Bo Kaap tour, and where does the tour end off? Does it also end at Motherland Coffee Company in Mandela Rhodes Place?
Written 15 July 2019
Tour lasted about 90 minutes. Actually ends at Hilton which is four blocks away from coffee shop.
Written 15 July 2019
Duplication between 3 tours?
I love free walking tours to learn about the city. I am thinking to do all 3 tours - BoKaap, Historic, Apartheid to freedom. Are the duplications between 3 tours in the route/stories? Thank you!
Written 20 December 2018
I did all 3 and found there was minimal duplication. Would definitely recommend doing all 3 if you have the time.
Written 30 January 2019
You can park in any of the streets close by, or in the Mandela Rhodes parking in Burg Street 😉
Written 8 November 2018
All our tours are in English only! But the guides are very friendly & patient and will spend time to explain in case it is needed.
Written 6 August 2018
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